Double throw reversing switch



N0 10, 1931 E. E. GETQHELL DOUBLE THROW REVERSNG SWITCH :5 sneet's-sheet 1 Filed MarCh 9, 1951 u n wENToR Benjamln E'. etc'bell,

Nov. l0, R931,

B. E. GETCHELL DOUBLE THROW REVERSING SWITCH Filed March 9, 1951 3 Sheets-Shee 2 lNvENToR enjaml'nE. etchell,

.BY y* Nova, i0, 19Mo E. E. GETCHELL DOUBLE THROW REVERSING SWITCH Filed MarCh 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Shea?A 3 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENJAMIN E. GETCHELL, OF PLAIN VILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORA- TION 0F CONNECTICUT DOUBLE THROW REVERSING SWITCH Application led March 9,

My invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to the type of switches which is ordinarily usedor reversing the circuits of motors, etc.

-Reversing switches of various types have been used for a great many years but my present invention may .be readily distinguished from the great majority of former constructions by the fact that it is of the double break type and of such a compact form and design that it may be enclosed in a comparatively small casing and' operated from the front of the casing by an external handle.

An outstanding characteristic of my construction is that it includes an insulating base provided with a series of recesses in which the switch contacts are positioned so as to be well insulated from each other and this feature, together with the fact that double break switch mechanism is incorporated, makes it possible -to provide a switch of comparatively small dimensions for safely controlling a given circuit capacity.

The mechanism is very simple and eicient and the entire construction is very cheap to make. The cost of assembling the co-related parts has been reduced to the minimum.

The entire operating mechanism is securely held in place by means of a single screw, and means have been provided for securely holding the operating handle in either of its on positions or in its intermediate or oil position. Each movable conn tact is provided with a coiled spring :tor maintaining it in position and to allow Jfor self adjustment with therespective pairs ot stationary contacts. The proper action of the operating mechanism is not dependent uponv a single spring as has been the case in many former constructions. When properly operated the switch movement is quickbreak.

The operating handle cannot be lett in any but its predetermined positions. A very cheap and a very practical means has been provided for causing a slidingor wiping engagement of the movable conta-cts with the respective pairs of stationary contacts. The construction is such that it can be installed 1931. Serial No. 521,072.

with the line wires connected to either the upper or the lower set of terminals.

ln the form shown the construction embodies an insulating base having a row of movable switch members both above and below thevcenter line. Circuit terminals are arranged on both ends of the base and connected to stationary contacts adjacent thereto. Two more rows of stationary contacts are arranged between the movable switch members and the various contacts are connected to permit a reversal of the circuit connections. Separate actuating levers are provided for the two sets of switch members and an intermediate rocker member serves to move these actuating levers. The actuating levers y* and the operating rocker are all carried by a frame secured to the base by a single screw.

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the mechanism embodied in a switch box, a part of the box being broken away and the switch being shown with the parts in the open circuit position.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the switch proper with the parts in the oli or open circuit position.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the parts in the off or open circuit position. the sections being taken on the plane of the line l-lt of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4a; is a fragmentary section showing the arts in the on or closed circuit position.

Figi. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the switch with the parts in the open circuit position.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the operating rocker, the actuating levers and the supporting Jtrame.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one of the switch units.

The switch box 10 has a cover 11 which may be hinged, for instance, at the bottom (not shown) and provided with suitable latch mechanism (not shown).

rlhe cover preferably has markings such as the word 0n, Oil@ and @n to indicate the condition of the switch when the operating finger piece or handle 12 is positioned alongside of these words respectively.

The base 14 is formed of insulating material with suitable recesses and barriers forming pockets for loca-ting the various contacts, terminals, screws and so forth, as is customary in electric switch constructions, and may be secured to the box, for instance, by screws (not shown), in the openings 15-15. Circuit terminals 16, 17, and 18 are arranged along one end of the base and terminals 19, 2O and 21 along the opposite end of the base. These terminals are provided with the usual binding screws and are connected respectively to stationary cont-acts 22, 23 and 24 at one end of the base and 25, 26 and 27 at the other end of the base. Opposite each of the upper rows of contacts are corresponding stationary contacts 28, 29 and 30. Opposite the lower row of stationaryT contacts are arranged corresponding contacts such as 31 and 32. The center contact of this row is not shown in the drawings but it has a screw 33 connected to it which extends through to the back as shown in Fig. 3. The other stationary contacts are similarly provided with screws such asv34 which extend through to the back and are provided with clamp nuts such as 35. This being the usual method of mounting contacts it will be unnecessary to describe the details of each of the contacts.

The various contacts are connected at the rear by wires to bring aboutv the necessary circuit connections of a reversing switch. For instance, the contact 22 is connectedto contact 32 by a screw 34,A4 n ut 35', wire 36, nut 38 and screw 37. Contact 24 is similarly connected tolcontact 31 by wire 39. Contact 23 is connected to the obscured contact and screw 33 by wire 40. Contact 28 is connected to contact 25 by wire 41. Contact 29 is connected to contact 21 by wire 42. Contact 30 is connected to contact 27 by wire 43.

The movable switch members 44, 45, 46. 47, 48 and 49 lare all formed of stamped sheet metal adapted to coact with the raised convex ends of the' respective contacts. The switch members or plates 44, 45 and 46 ,are mounted on studs 50, 51 and 52 carried by an insulating cross bar "53. Each plate has a slot 54 which loosely receives the corresponding stud and also has a raised or bossed portion 55 against which presses a spring 56. The outer end of this spring is crimped into the rim of a slotted washer 57. ,The stud has a head 58 and the washer aslot 59 with recesses 60 at right angles to the slot so that the spring and washer can be readily attached or demounted as shown in my Patent #1,714,086. This method of mountingpermits the switch plates to adjust themselves readily to the respective contacts so as to produce a most eiiective contact. y

The insulating cross bar 53 extends be.

tween the upper contacts 22, 23 and 24 and the contacts 28 to 3 0 and is guided by flanges 62 and 63 which loosely lit in recesses 64 and 65 in the base. These recesses are closed at the bottom as shown in Fig. 4 and springs such as 66 are mounted in these recesses beneath the Across bar 53 being positioned on prongs 67 (see Fig. 7). Projections 68 may also be guided in passages 69 in the base.

The lower row of switch plates 47, 48 and 49 is similarly carried by an'insulating cross bar 70. The studs 50, 51 and 52 of the upper row are inclined upwardly away from the center of the base and the studs 71 and so Jforth, of the lower row are inclined downwardly away from the center of the base. These inclined studs force the respective switch plates to slide longitudinally as the carrier bars 53 and 7 0 are forced into contact closing position.

The supporting frame for the operating rocker or handle 12 consists of the metal side plates 072 and 73 connected by a bridge 74. The rocker is supported directly on the pin 75 between the outer ends of the plates 72 and 73. The metal frame and attached parts are secured to the base by a single central screw 76 and the lower ends of the plates 72 and 73 are `positioned in recesses 77 and 78 in the front of the base.

Actuating levers 80 and 81 are secured to the lower part of the metal frame by pivots or pins 82 and 83. rlhe outer ends 84 and 85 of these levers engage in notches 86 and 87 in the cross bar 53.

In the open circuit position the shoulders 88 and 89 abut against the lugs 90 and 91 on the sides of the frame. The rocker 12 carries rollers 92 and 93 which bear respectively on the outer edges 94 and 95 of the actuating levers above described.

To close the circuit through the upper set of switch plates the rocker 12 is pressed upwardly whereupon the rollers 92 and 93 force the levers 80 and 81 upwardly and rearwardly until the rollers snap into the notches 96 and 97 respectively where the parts are held by the pressure of the springs 66 against the cross bar 53 which is transmitted through the tips 84 and 85 of the actuating levers. When the rocker 12 is moved toward the central position the springs 66 act to snap the parts to open circuit position as soon as the rollers 92 and 93 are released from the notches 86 and 87 of the actuating levers.

T'he lower set of actuating levers 100 and 101 are similarly pivoted to the metal frame and coact with the lower insulating cross bar 70 to actuate the lower set of switch contact Vcorresponding lower springs 102 serve to hold the rocker yieldingly in its central oil post tion and the lugs 90 and 91 serve as abutments When the rocker is in the central i for the upper and lower pairs of actuating levers.

By removing the central single screw 76 the carrier frame with the attached actuating levers and the rocker may all be removed without affecting the upper and lower cross bars 53 and 70 and the attached switch plates. Vhen the rocker and actuators are removed the cross bars may be withdrawn for inspection, repair or replacement. Any one of the individual switch plates may be removed independently of the others.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the parts of the switch are simple and readily assembled or separated as occasion may require. The parts are all of a rugged character so that they are durable and the switch is reliable and eective. Although the switch is primarily intended as a reversing switch, certain of the features of construction are applicable to switches in general. l therefore do not wish the claims to be limited to the specific construction shown except as required by the terms of the claims or the state of the art.

I claim:

l. A reversing switch including an insulating base, a set of contacts mounted on each end of said base, an insulating cross bar movable between theV contacts of each set, selfadjusting switch plates carried by said insulating bars, a pair of actuating levers coacting with each cross bar and an operating rocker pivoted between said actuating levers, said levers and rocker being provided with coacting rollers and notches, springs for pressing said cross bars toward said actuating levers and abutment means for said actuating levers;

2. A reversing switch including an insulating base, a set of contacts mounted on each end of said base, an insulating cross bar movable between the contacts of each set, switch plates carried by said insulating bars, a pair of actuating levers coacting with each cross bar and an operating rocker pivoted between said actuating levers and coacting with said levers, a frame carrying said levers and said rocker and a single fastening device for securing said frame to said base.

3. A reversing switch including an insulating base, a set of contacts mounted on each end of said base, an insulating cross bar guided in said base between each set of contacts, spring-pressed 'switch plates carried by said insulating bars, an actuating levercoacting with each cross bar and an operating rocker pivoted between said actuating levers, a frame supporting said levers and said rocker, springs for pressing said cross bars toward said actuating levers, abutment means for said actuating levers and means for detachably securing said frame to said base.

4. An electric switch including an insulating base having a series of pockets near one end, pairs of contacts mounted in said pockets, a cross bar extending transversely of the base and between the respective pairs of contacts, self-adjusting switch plates carried by said cross bar for engagement with the contacts in said pockets, a pair of pivoted actuating levers having their movable ends coacting with said cross bar, an operating rocker having rollers coacting with said levers, said levers having notches to receive the rollers, and spring means pressing said cross bar toward said levers.

5. lin an electric switch, an insulating base having a transverse groove, contacts mounted on opposite sides of said groove, an insu lating cross bar mounted to be moved and guided in said groove, spring means supporting said bar, supporting studs projecting from said cross bar and inclined to the general plane of the base, freely movable switch plates supported by said crossv bar and studs, a spring detachably mounted on each stud and pressing its switch plate toward said bar, and means for pressing said cross bar and switch plates toward said contacts whereby the switch plates are forced by said inclined studs to slide along the contacts.

6. ln an electric switch, an insulating base having pairs of contacts on opposite sides of the center, spring-pressed switch plates for engagement with said contacts, a frame having side plates, said base having recesses for positioning said side plates, actuating levers pivoted to said frame for moving said switch plates, a rocker pivoted to said frame between said actuating levers, and a single screw for securing said frame with its rocker and levers in place.

7. A reversing switch including an insulatingbase, pairs of contacts mounted along each end of said base, spring-pressed switch members for engagement with the respect-ive pairs of said contacts, oppositely disposed actuating levers coacting with said switch plates and having notches, a pivoted rocker having rollers coacting with said levers and adapted to engage in said notches, and spring means for pressing said levers toward said rocker.

8. An electric switch including an insulating base having pockets andv grooves at its opposite ends, pairs of contacts in said pockets and'grooves, cross bars guided in said grooves, switch plates carried by said cross bars, an actuating lever coacting with each cross bar, an operating rocker pivoted between said actuating levers, said levers and rocker being provided with coacting projections and notches, spring means for pressing said cross bars towards said actuating levers and an abutment for said rocker between said actuating levers.

9. An electric switch including an insulating base having a row of contacts, an insulating cross bar guided in the base, switch plates carried by said insulating bar, a pair of actuating levers coacting with said cross bar, an operating rocker for actuating said levers, a fra-me carrying said levers and said rocker and a single fastening device for detachably securing said frame to said base.

l0. An electric switch including an insulating base having sets of contacts, a crossbar guided in said base adjacent each set, springpressed, switch plates carried by said cross bars, an insulating actuating lever coacting with each cross bar, an operating rocker for actuating said levers, a frame supporting said levers and said rocker, means for pressing said cross bars toward said actuating levers, abutment means for said actuating levers and means for detachably securing said frame to said base.

11. A double-break reversing switch including an insulating base, pairs of spaced stationary contacts at each endwof said base, a movable insulating carrier between the respective pairs of stationary contacts at each end of said base, a bridging Contact for each of the respective pairs of stationary contacts and mounted on the respective insulating carriers, arrocker between the said insulating carriers and having operable connections with each of said carriers and crosswire connections between the said stationary contacts for reversing a load-side circuit connected to said switch.

12. A three pole reversing switch including an insulating base, three pairs of stationary contacts mounted on each end of said base, a movable bridging contact for each of said pairs of stationary contacts, rocker means having operable connection with said bridging contacts and cross-wire connections between the respective stationary contacts for reversing the direction of flow of. an electric circuit in response to manual movement of said bridging contacts.

13. A three pole reversing switch including an insulating base, three pairs of stationary contacts mounted on each end of said base, a movable bridging contact for each of said ipairs of stationary contacts, rocker means having operable connection with said bridging contacts and cross-wire connections between the respective stationary contacts for reversing the direction of iow of an electric circuit in response to manual movement of said bridging contacts, the said stationary contacts being electrically connected in the manner indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings of this application.

14. A double-break switch including an in sulating base. pairs of spaced stationary contacts mounted on each end of said base, an insulating carrier between the respective pairs of contacts at each end of said base, a bridging contact on the carrier for each pair of stationary contacts, a pivotally contacts. y Y

BENJAMIN E. GETCHELL; 

